biddable

American  

[bid-uh-buhl] / ˈbɪd ə bəl /

adjective

1. Cards. adequate to bid upon.

   a biddable suit.

2. willing to do what is asked; obedient; tractable; docile.

   a biddable child.

3. that may be acquired by bidding.

   biddable merchandise.

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biddable British  

/ ˈbɪdəbəl /

adjective

1. having sufficient value to be bid on, as a hand or suit at bridge

2. docile; obedient

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Other Word Forms

• biddability noun
• biddableness noun
• biddably adverb
• unbiddable adjective

Etymology

Origin of biddable

First recorded in 1820–30; bid ¹ + -able

Explanation

To remember biddable, which means "obedient" and "capable of being trained," think: "able" to do your "bidding." Certain breeds of dog, such as Golden Retrievers, are prized for their biddability. In other words, they are easy to housebreak, and you can train them to do tricks. Headstrong dachshunds are not known to be biddable. Bark "sit" and "stay" commands all you like, they listen only when it conveniences them. And cats? Your cat is likely evaluating how biddable you are turning out to be.

Example Sentences

Chava is a newly born golem—a mythological, biddable creature originating in Jewish folklore—without a master.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

Border collies, for instance, tend to be more biddable than the average dog.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 28, 2022

But there are plenty of examples and evidence of protocol meant to control the work environment and keep workers biddable.

From Salon • Oct. 24, 2021

T-Mobile previously asked the FCC to reserve a portion of the biddable spectrum for smaller carriers, so that its biggest rivals don't buy up too much and wind up hurting T-Mobile's growth.

From Washington Post • Jun. 25, 2015

She could go to bed, and in the morning, every crumb would be gone, as if the man had a flock of birds or a parade of biddable ants on staff.

From "Bone Gap" by Laura Ruby